HPLC Flow cell Care and Cleaning

If you want the best LC data, you need a properly working UV flow cell that is matched to the application. The primary goal is to choose the flow cell length that provides the best sensitivity while maintaining chromatographic resolution.

Unfortunately, Analyst often think about flow cells only when they troubleshoot problems with HPLC system. Maintenance of UV flow cell is simple and every user of the HPLC system can do it. To start, keep in mind four general preventive measures:

1. Many flow cells have quartz windows or fused silica components, so avoid using alkaline solutions with pH greater than 9.5, which can attack these components and impair optical performance.
2. To prevent crystallization inside the flow cell, always flush it with water after running buffers or salt solutions, especially at high pHs.
3. When your LC is unused overnight, make sure your flow cell contains at least 10% organic mobile phase to prevent algae growth.
4. Some modern flow cells use coated or uncoated fused silica capillaries. You can adversely affect coated capillaries by turning on the UV lamp without solvent flow, so read the manufacturer’s recommendations carefully.

PEOPLE ALSO READ: Good Laboratory Practice for HPLC

Flow Cell Selection

• It is very important to carefully select a proper flow cell for your HPLC system. You may need a high-pressure flow cell when several detectors – or a detector and a fraction collector – are connected in series. In addition, check that the flow cell has the proper volume and optical path length to ensure the optimal resolution and sensitivity.
• Many analyst assume that small-diameter columns always require very low-volume flow cells, but the column length, particle size and gradient slope all play a role. For example, a 4.6 mm column running steep gradients produces a smaller peak volume than a long 2.1 mm column operated under high-resolution conditions.
• To minimize any unnecessary dispersion that could reduce the apparent chromatographic resolution, flow cell should be no larger than about 10% of the peak volume.
• Note also that absolute cell volume is not always the best parameter to consider; the critical parameter is effective cell volume. 

Flushing the Flow Cell

• If system was shut down unexpectedly during an unattended sequence run, it is possible that the sample is still trapped in your flow cell. 
• If the system was stopped overnight with salt buffer, it is important to start the system flush with a lower flow rate and watch the system pressure. 
• A warm-water flush using the 60°C setting on your column compartment is an effective way to clean your UV flow cell.

PEOPLE ALSO READ: General HPLC Column Care

Flow Cell Cleaning Solvents

• The flow cell can be cleaned by pumping a solvent through the system. Generally, the recommended solvent is the highest polarity solvent you have recently used. Therefore, ethyl acetate (often solvent B) would be used. See below image for alternative solvents.

 

Quick Flow Cell Cleaning

• Quick cleaning is advantageous because very little solvent is required and repriming is not necessary. To quick clean the system:

1. Remove the column from the system.
2. With a syringe, inject the selected solvent into the lower column mount.
3. Insert a bypass tube in place of the column.
4. From the Peak Trak menu select the Tools > Manual Control… command and pump 100 mL of Solvent A at 100 mL/min.
5. Replace the bypass tube with a column and start a run. The Companion will attempt to calibrate the flow cell.

If the calibration is successful, the system is ready for use.

If the alert message persists, refer to the thorough flowcell cleaning solvents and techniques.

PEOPLE ALSO READ: Troubleshooting Guide – HPLC

Thorough Flow Cell Cleaning

To thoroughly clean the flow cell:

1. Remove the column from the system and insert a bypass tube.
2. If using an alternative solvent, place the solvent inlet line into a container of the selected solvent.
3. Pump 100 ml of solvent through the system at 100 mL/min.
4. If an alternative solvent was used, return the solvent inlet line to the appropriate solvent container.
5. Select the Tools > Auto Prime menu command to prime the system.
6. Replace the bypass tube with a column and start a run. The Companion will attempt to calibrate the flow cell.

If the calibration is successful, the system is ready for use.

If the alert message persists, refer to the alternative flow cell cleaning solvents and techniques.

• The solvent strength and high flow rate will typically clear the obstruction and return the flow cell to optimum performance.

Alternative Cleaning Techniques

If the thorough flow cell cleaning instructions do not clear the obstruction, the following alternative techniques should be considered.

1. Pump water/DMF/methanol (50/25/25) for 3–4 minutes followed by pumping straight methanol (or ethanol) for 2–3 minutes.
2. Pump 5–10 mL DMSO followed by methanol, ethyl acetate, then hexane.
3. After the lines have been filled with solvent, reduce the flow rate or pause up to 18 hours. Doing so will allow the solvent to remain longer to dissolve the obstruction.

PEOPLE ALSO READ: Types of HPLC Detectors